Captain Praised As A Hero

The first day of testimony in the NTSB hearing on US Airways Flight 1549, which ditched in the Hudson River in January, brought praise for the crew of the aircraft, as well as harrowing stories from the passengers.

One NTSB board member aplologize for a quote that was widely reported a month ago. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Robert Sumwalt (pictured right) was quoted by The Associated Press as saying a passenger aboard the plane would contradict Flight Attendant Doreen Welsh's statement that a panicked passenger had tried to open the plane's rear door. In fact, passenger Billy Campbell, who testified Tuesday, said Welsh was very professional in her response to the emergency. They had talked at a reunion held last month for the passengers and crew.

NTSB officials praised Captain Chelsey Sullenberger for quick decision-making and keeping his cool, and they pressed him for lessons that could help prevent accidents. According to The Chicago Tribune, investigators showed an animated depiction of the flight, including audio from the transmissions between Sullenberger and ATC. The hearing audience laughed at times, as they listened to air traffic controllers rushing to find a runway for the plane, and Sullenberger coolly declaring that the aircraft would land in the river.

“This event turned out differently than a lot of the situations the board has looked at,” Mr. Sumwalt, the committee vice chair, said, addressing Captain Sullenberger. “What made the critical difference in this event? How did this event turn out so well?”

The captain responded: “I don’t think it was one thing, it was many things. We had a highly experienced, well-trained crew. The first officer, Jeffrey Skiles, and I worked together well as a team and we solved each problem as it presented itself to us.”

The hearings will continue Wednesday and Thursday. Among the issues still to be explored are ways to track birds in the vicinity of airports, and whether new standards are needed to address bird ingestion into engines.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov